Gemma Collins has shared that her grief over the loss of her mother, Joan, is striking her in waves. The reality television personality announced her mother's passing on Instagram on Wednesday evening. Joan Collins died at the age of 70, approximately one month after being hospitalized with pneumonia.
In a Friday Instagram post, Collins shared a photo of a shrine dedicated to her mother, adorned with flowers, candles, and pictures. "Grief is the price we pay for love," Collins wrote, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every message, every prayer, every kind word. I’m reading them all and getting back to everyone slowly. Please bear with me. Some moments I feel okay, and then it comes in waves."
Collins also noted a recurring presence of butterflies, which she interprets as a sign from her mother. "One beautiful thing keeps happening. A butterfly has been with me constantly, appearing wherever I go. It brings me a sense of peace, and in my heart I truly feel it’s my mum letting me know she’s close, watching over me, and reminding me that love never really leaves us."
Her mother's health had been a concern in recent years. Joan Collins had battled pneumonia twice in the six months prior to her death and was hospitalized last month. At the time of her last hospitalization, Gemma Collins posted on social media, "Sending my mummy so much love she has caught Pneumonia."
In her initial tribute, Collins described her devastation, writing, "My heart is shattered into a million pieces. Today our beautiful mum passed away peacefully surrounded by LOVE. Mum, Today, every piece of my heart left with you."
She continued, reflecting on her mother's influence: "You gave me life, you gave me strength, and you gave me memories that I will carry for every day I have left. The house will never sound the same without you. Your voice, your smile, your little ways, they are woven into every corner of my life. I will miss you more than I could ever put into words."
Collins expressed hopes for her mother's peace: "I hope you are finally free from pain. I hope you can walk again, laugh again, and feel light. I hope you are surrounded by peace and by everyone who has gone before you, watching over us with love."
Joan Collins, a former hairdresser, made several appearances on the reality show TOWIE and was a guest on Gemma Collins' episode of "Who Do You Think You Are?" which explored their family history. The program revealed that Joan's biological mother may have been forced to give her up due to mental health issues, contradicting Joan's lifelong belief that she had been abandoned. Past health scares for Joan included being in intensive care in 2024 after she stopped breathing, a situation that left Gemma fearing the worst. At that time, Gemma told The Sun, "My mum was suddenly taken into hospital and I was told she could die. They would not resuscitate her if she went into cardiac arrest."